Network Audio - Onkyo Net Tune

[redbeard222]

I have been reading about the Onkyo or Integra Receivers that have the Net Tune capability. I have seen a few posts that touch on the subject, but they are scattered. Would a few of you help me out and ansewer some questions I have about the service.
1. What type of setup do you use for a PC music server? OS, cpu, memory, any limitations or bottle necks, etc.?
2. How many internet radio stations can you access? Is it anything that is available else where or just what their servers are connected to? How is the selection interface?
3. Can you use services like Comcast Rhapsody to create online playlists of streaming audio?
4. Are there other options for connecting stereos to MP3 servers and internet audio?
5. There are also some DVD players that will stream movies off your PC, some network components that have one RCA out and will let you connect to a local server, how to these compare?
6. This seems to be where home audio collections are headed, are prices dropping?

Any comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I can't answer your Onkyo questions about PC hookup, but I can tell you my new Time Warner digital service with their new DVR lets me hook up the DVR to my PC and record movies on the internal DVD +/-R/RW which is so cool. Sure, the DVR records shows, but then to transfer them to a real dvd is awesome. As far as internet radio stations, I'm a little behind the times with regards to simple hook ups. I would assume the free stations at yahoo.com, or any of the internet providers would be pumped from your PC to your main system via rca out with the proper soundcard. I really think the Onkyo's are ahead of the rest with regards to PC - HT integration and wish the rest of the pack would catch up.

 

[redbeard222]

My PC and Entertainment are on different floors so I think the Cat5 network will be the easiest and will also allow me to put my whole library on a central server and could access it in multiple rooms. I just don't want to mess with kicking around CD cases any more.

 

[Azz123]

Hi redbeard.

Made the transition of my CD collection on Computer some years ago - Its nice being able to select Random via genre and even save playlists depending on your moods. You want 7 hours of your music, dont want any rock or 80's pop and dont want to hear the same song twice - no problem!
Not sure how the Onkyo works precisely with the net tune though I have seen similar setups (Apple Airport) where the computer/player is assigned an IP address and the software supplied by the players manufacturer is capable of streaming.

Even if you dont bother with net tune and just run analog RCA cables from your computer soundcard (speaker out via mini-din) to the inputs of your receiver, its well worth it! Ive got an 18m (50+ feet) run under my house from the computer in the office to the receiver in the lounge.

As Ive mentioned in previous posts about this topic unfortunately I cant do this via optical as The Yamaha receivers wont play a digital signal on their Zone2 output. Not sure about the Onkyo for this.

Feel free to PM me if your after any other detail on doing the above.

Aaron

 

[lynn2c]

I'm streaming audio from a central server with slim devices "squeeze box" and the free slimserver software. Keeps me from have a computer in the same room as the sound system. It works really well. It also has integration with tons on internet radio stations. It has digital out on the squeeze box, but won't work if you need zone 2, at least not with the denon. Some copywrite protection bull****, that I don't agree with, but this isn't the place to discuss that.
If you want to steam video, there are others out there, this won't do it. for music, it's great. You can even access you music collection from any computer on the internet through the slimserver.